Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Application

CPL Applications (Total to date: 129) Spreadsheet Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Application CPL1000071 Name and Contact Project Street Address 607 9th Street CPL1000071 Identifier: 1: NE Project Street Address Kutter Prairie Restoration Name: 2: Organization City: Long Prairie Todd County SWCD Name: State: MN Organization http://www.co.todd.mn.us/html_files/departments/soilandwater.html Zip Code: 56347 Website: Organization Contact Sandy Rohr Person: Contact sandy.rohr@mn.nacdnet.net Email: Contact 320.732.2644 Phone: Location Primary County: Nearest City: Township: Project Site Name: Project Information Primary Activity: Enhancement Primary Habitat Type: Prairie Total Project Acres: 25 Todd Grey Eagle Project Site Land Ownership: Private Other Land Ownership: Total Project Sites: Total Grant Amount Requested: Total Match Amount: Total Project Cost: Project Completion Date: Project Summary and Outcomes: 1 $56265 $6453 $62718 06/2012 (MM/YYYY) Grey Eagle Township Kutter Prairie Restoration The property owners are looking to convert an existing CRP planting to a hich quality, diverse prairie restoration. Originally seeded into a monocrop of switchgrass, over time the project area has been inundated with undesirable species such as Canada goldenrod, boxelder trees, and Reed canary grass. The land is in a conservation easement with the MN Land Trust and has been in the CRP program for nearly 14 years. The outcome of this project will be an enhanced and diversified habitat for a variety of native plant, animal and insect species near Big Birch Lake. Attachments Project Site Information Form Project Budget and Match Description Partner Committment Letter Financial Documentation Conservation Easement Supplementary Attachment #1 Supplementary Attachment #2 Back

Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Project Site Information Contact information Project name: Kutter Prairie Restoration Organization: Todd County SWCD Organization contact person (Project Manager): Sandy Rohr/Greg Ostrowski Project information Project site: Wayne Kutter Farm Project site land manager Legal : T127 R32 S29 QNE/4 or easement holder: Minnesota Land Trust Private land owner County: Todd (if applicable): Wayne & Sherry Kutter Activity (may choose more than one): Enhancement Restoration Acquisition Predominant Habitat (choose one): Forest Prairie Wetland Fish, Game and Wildlife Habitat Activity quantity: 25 Acres Miles Feet Structures Wetlands Project Site #2, if needed. Project site: Project site land manager Legal : T R S Q or easement holder: Private land owner County: (if applicable): Activity (may choose more than one): Enhancement Restoration Acquisition Predominant Habitat (choose one): Forest Prairie Wetland Fish, Game and Wildlife Habitat Activity quantity: Acres Miles Feet Structures Wetlands Project Site #3, if needed. Use Additional Project Sites form if needed. Project site: Project site land manager Legal : T R S Q or easement holder: Private land owner County: (if applicable): Activity (may choose more than one): Enhancement Restoration Acquisition Predominant Habitat (choose one): Forest Prairie Wetland Fish, Game and Wildlife Habitat Activity quantity: Acres Miles Feet Structures Wetlands Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 1 Application Form 092109

Project timeline: Time frame Goal Time frame Goal Spring 2010 Burn 25 acres of existing switchgrass fields. After it begins to grow, spray for weeds. Allow to grow again, and spray a second time. Spring-Summer 2010 Disk, harrow, and plant native prairie seeds as specified by PRI for upland, mesic and wetland seed mixes - drilling grass seeds, broadcasting forbs seeds. Summer 2010 Mow 25 acres 1-3 times to control weed canopy while prairie plants get established. Monitor the site. Summer 2011 Mow 25 acres. Perform integrated plant management (IPM) in coordination with PRI and MCC crew 2-3 times during growing season. Monitor site. Spring 2012 Prescribed burn on 25 acres to encourage native plant growth. IPM 2-3 times throughout the summer (beyond end of grant timeline). Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 2 Application Form 092109

Project description and benefits (box will expand as typed into, not to be longer than 2 pages): This prairie restoration project was initiated by the property owners with an interest in continuing a tradition of land stewardship on their property, as well as enhancing and diversifying existing habitat. The Kutter family has owned and managed the 160 acres on Big Birch Lake in Grey Eagle Township for nearly 100 years. In 2004, the Kutters placed a conservation easement on the property with the Minnesota Land Trust as a way to protect the land in perpetuity. The Kutter property is a combination of rolling forested hills, low swamps, and open fields. A creek that is the only major inlet to Big Birch Lake flows through the property before entering the lake. The variety of vegetative cover and the proximity of the lake make habitat restoration and enhancement projects on this property particularly beneficial to a diverse number of land and water species. The Kutters have been following the guidelines developed for their conservation easement to continue to steward and improve the landscape. Recent projects have included buckthorn remediation, selective logging, and tree planting in the forested areas of the property, as well as habitat management in the fields. The proposed 25-acre restoration site has been enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program for nearly 14 years. The fields were planted to a monoculture of switchgrass, and over time the site has become inundated with undesirable or invasive species such as Canada goldenrod and reed canary grass. The Kutter family is interested in converting the existing CRP planting into a high quality, diverse prairie restoration. Multiple seed mixes have been proposed for the project area because of its varying ecological conditions, and all will be seeded at a rate of 12 lbs grasses and 3 lbs wildflowers per acre. The dry upland seed mix, to be seeded along the tops of the rolling hills, will include up to six grass species and more than twenty wildflowers including June grass, Little bluestem, Prairie dropseed, several asters, goldenrods, and prairie clovers. The wetland seed mix will be seeded around the low swamps. Twelve species of grasses, sedges and rushes; and thirty species of flowers, including Fringed brome, Fox sedge, Green bulrush, Swamp milkweed, Joe-pye weed, and Ironweed will be seeded in the low swamps. Finally, a mesic mix will be seeded in the largest part of the project area with at least eight species of grasses and twenty-five species of wildflowers. Big bluestem, Canada wild rye, Indian grass, Leadplant, Prairie rose, and several blazingstars are among the species included in this mix. Native wildflower plugs at minimum of sixteen species not previously seeded will will be installed to further enhance the diversity and aesthetics of the restoration. All species to be planted are of native ecotypes to the general project area. Due to the current species composition of the site, and bearing in mind the long-term goal of creating a diverse restoration, a complete re-seeding has been recommended. To establish this planting, the site will be burned, treated with herbicide to kill existing weeds, disced and harrowed to provide desirable seedbed, and then seeded with the custom native grass and wildflower mixes. As with any native landscape restoration and enhancement project, management plays a vital role in the eventual success of the project. This is especially true in the initial establishment period of the project. During the first growing season the project area will be mowed to control the annual weed canopy and aid in the growth of the prairie seedlings by reducing competition. Mowing will also prevent any weeds from setting seed. In the years following the first growing season, management of the restoration will include site monitoring, prescribed burns, mowing, and a variety of integrated plant management (IPM) techniques. This will include spot spraying, spot mowing, wicking, or hand-weeding to control undesirable species. As a private landowner, the Kutter family is well-suited to manage this restoration project throughout the grant timeline and beyond. Through education, employment, and volunteer activities the family is familiar with or has the resources to learn many of the best practices in land management. Two family members have completed the S130/190 wildland firefighter certification, and have been managing the 25-acre project site with prescribed fire for the last 5 years in order to control encroaching weeds and boxelder trees. As an employee of Saint John's Arboretum in Collegeville, Minnesota, one of the family members is regularly involved in the Arboretum's land management and educational activities, including the prairie, wetland, and oak savannah habitat restoration project at Saint John's. Through that connection the Kutter family is able to research and implement good practices in land management as they work to be good stewards of the land. A grant from CPL is essential to provide for the initial costs of establishing a high-quality prairie planting of this size, however once established, the regular maintenance costs will be minimal because of the Kutter family's resources and interests in stewarding their land. Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 3 Application Form 092109

Additionally, the Kutter family has already demonstrated their ability and willingness to coordinate with a variety of organizations to learn and understand the best practices for completing a project of this size. For this grant application, the Kutter family has communicated with several organizations in order to coordinate the necessary steps toward achieving their goal of a diverse prairie restoration. Todd County Soil and Water Conservation District is glad for the opportunity from the Conservation Partners Legacy grant to help these landowners restore and enhance land in our region. The Farm Services Agency office is reviewing the project to be sure it conforms with the CRP regulations on the site. This project is not only in step with the easement developed by the Minnesota Land Trust for this property, but will significantly enhance the value of the land as a conservation easement with improved wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Prairie Restorations, Inc. is a local business that has a great tradition of successfully installing native landscapes throughout the upper Midwest. Their restoration plan, contracts, high-quality native seed mixes, and guarantee of their work will ensure that this restoration and enhancement project will be a success. Finally, the Minnesota Conservation Corps has agreed to work with the landowners and PRI to do some of the integrated plant management work on this project, providing a great opportunity for a crew to take part in the restoration process. The Kutter family has provided a commitment letter for their in-kind contributions to this project. Additionally, letters have been provided by PRI and the MN Conservation Corps to define their roles and demonstrate their commitment to the project if funding is awarded. Native tallgrass prairie is the most endangered ecosystem in North America. A well-managed, diverse prairie can improve water quality, anchor soil, provide valuable wildlife habitat, and sequester carbon. Those reasons in combination with the resources and expertise brought to this project by the different government, business, and nonprofit organizations, as well as the Kutter family's skills and passion for managing their land should give the CPL grant program great confidence in the long-term benefits of funding this project. Please provide the answers to the following questions. Boxes will expand as typed into. 1. For lands acquired in fee title that will be turned over to a public agency for long-term management: a. Provide a description of the work necessary to bring the land up to agency standards and an estimate of the associated cost. Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 4 Application Form 092109

b. What short- and long-term work is required to manage the land you acquire? 2. For enhancement/ restoration projects on public lands: a. Who is/will be the long-term manager for the project site? b. What short- and long-term maintenance work is required to sustain the habitat work you will do? c. Who will complete this maintenance work, and how will it be funded? d. Will the CPL funds supplant any existing funds? As required by 2009 MN Session Law, Chapter 172 subd. 10 (8), any agency or entity receiving an appropriation must, for any project funded in whole or in part with funds from the appropriation, give consideration to and make timely written contact with the Minnesota Conservation Corps for consideration of possible use of their services to contract for restoration and enhancement services. Contact MCC at cplg@conservationcorps.org, or email a copy of this form to the same address. For more information on costs, crew capabilities, etc., visit MCC s website at http://www.conservationcorps.org/useacrew.html. Signature: I certify that I have read the Conservation Partners Legacy Grants Program Request for Proposal, Program Manual and other program documents, and have discussed this project with the appropriate Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 5 Application Form 092109

public land manager, or private landowner and easement holder. I am authorized to apply for and manage these grant and match funds, and the project work by the organization or agency listed below. I have made timely written notification to MCC regarding my restoration or enhancement project. Signature: Sandy Rohr Organization/ Agency: Todd County SWCD Title: District Manager Date: November 2, 2009 Please save this document to your computer or electronic storage device and attach this document as specified on the online submittal form when ready to apply. Contact CPL Grant Staff with any questions. Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 6 Application Form 092109

CPL Project Application Review and Approval Form Information This form is for use by Public Land Manager or Easement Holder of lands where the proposed project will be occurring. This will serve as record of a meeting between the land manager or easement holder and the applying organization s representative. Please review the application brought to you by the organizations thoroughly, as this approval form is being required as part of a complete application. Those projects without this completed form submitted by 5pm CST on November 3, 2009 will not be considered during the first round of awards. Note that the Proposal ID# is an optional blank; if your agency or office routinely assigns numbers to projects, feel free to fill this in to keep your own records. Applicants should be meeting with you to talk about their proposed projects with their Project Planning Form complete and ready to be reviewed. This includes a simple budget to help the applicants begin thinking about all of the costs that could be associated with the projects. Please use your expertise to help these groups realistically think about their project and costs. The completion of this form is the appropriate point where any concerns or questions regarding the proposed project should be raised with the applicant. This form will also serve as record of those questions and concerns; applications will be carefully reviewed to make sure those concerns or questions were addressed by the organization. Those applications that do not address any areas you note on this form will not be considered; efforts will be made to make the organizations and managers or easement holders aware of the discrepancy and the need to re-apply for future available grant funds. This form may also be used to decline the proposed project as presented due to workload or staffing issues. Please note in the comment section what additional offices were contacted to request staffing assistance to help complete this project. Managers or easement holders also have the ability to deny a proposed project based on faulty reasoning behind the project, lack of knowledge of topic by applicant, previous experience/ history with the applicants, project outside of the Management Plan for the land, etc.; please note your reasons within the comment section of the form. You may also decide to kick the application up to a higher level to make any sensitive determinations. The name and phone for this higher level review should be indicated (if necessary) at the final step of this form and a copy of the Project Planning form and your completed Review and Approval form should be sent for review as soon as possible. A copy of this form does not need to be supplied to the applicant at the time of the meeting. There is a required Natural Heritage Database review for all work being performed on CPL projects. Public Land Managers with proper training have access to this database and should be performing this review at the time of their meeting with the applicant. Providing feedback on minimization techniques or avoidance times will be important information for the applicant. Any feature that occurs within one mile of the project site needs to be addressed on the final application; be sure to go over all of these occurrences regardless of impact by project. For those land managers or easement holders without access, please forward your completed review form to LSCPLGrants.DNR@state.mn.us with Heritage Database Review Needed in the subject line. CPL staff will make initial reviews and provide the feedback necessary to the applicant. This form needs to be received by CPL staff no more than 3 days after your meeting with the applicant or no later than October 25 th, 2009 at 5pm CST if a Heritage Review is required. The deadline for complete submission is November 3, 2009 at 5pm CST and without this form any applications received will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered for this round of funding. Please contact Leslie Tannahill (651-259-5242) or Jamie Gangaware (651-259-5174) for further information or help with this approval process, or email LSCPLGrants.DNR@state.mn.us for general information. Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 1 Project Application Review and Approval Form 092109

CPL Project Application Review and Approval Form REVIEWER INFORMATION Land manager/ easement holder name: Minnesota Land Trust, Sarah Strommen Title: Regional Conservation Director Date of meeting: October 22, 2009 Phone: 651-647-9590 Proposal ID #: Email: sstrommen@mnland.org (assigned by agency, optional ) PROJECT INFORMATION: Project Name: Kutter Prairie Restoration Organization: Todd Co. SWCD/private landowner Contact Person: Greg Ostrowski/Jenny Kutter Email: greg.ostrowski@mn.nacdnet.net/ jkutter@csbsju.edu Daytime Phone: 320.732.2644/320.363.3163 Please check the appropriate boxes: I have read the application and discussed this proposed project with the above listed Organization Contact Person. For work on easements, the private landowner has been contacted and has given support and approval for this project. I have performed a Natural Heritage Database review and found: this project to have no features within one mile. this project to have features within one mile, but project is not likely to adversely affect those features. I have recommended the following minimization strategy: this project is likely to adversely affect Natural Heritage features. I feel that this project is important and should be forwarded to DNR Ecological Resources staff for further review. I do not have access to the Natural Features database and will forward this completed form to DNR within 3 business days to CPL Staff at LSCPLGrants.DNR@dnr.state.mn.us for review. I have discussed what role my office will be expected to have in this project and find that the project, as described will require: minimal or no involvement from my office for completion. Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 2 Project Application Review and Approval Form 092109

a commitment of involvement by staff that is reasonable and can be accomplished with current staffing levels and workload. an amount of staff involvement that cannot be committed during the project time period with current staffing levels. Unless additional staffing can be committed from other offices, Divisions or appropriate partners, I feel this project cannot be completed within the project timeline to our desired standards. CPL Project Application Review and Approval Form I have discussed permits and applications that the applicant may be responsible for using the Working on DNR Lands and Working on Public Lands, or Working on Private Lands documents. Upon final review of this project: I find this project to be consistent with sound conservation science. This work will benefit area fish, game and wildlife by restoring, enhancing or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat and is consistent with the management or stewardship plan for this land. (APPROVAL) I find that this project does not follow the management or stewardship plan for this land and does not fit within the long range goals for this land at this time on the local level. (DECLINE) I find that this project should be sent up to a higher level within the agency for further review and decision. I have forwarded the Project Planning Form and this Review and Approval Form for further review to: Name: Phone: By checking this box and typing my name below I certify that I have met with the above applicant and discussed the proposed project and have provided feedback to the applicant. Name: Sarah Strommen Comments: The conservation easement held by the Minnesota Land Trust allows agricultural use of the area being proposed for prairie restoration. Therefore, this proposal represents a habitat enhancement activity above and beyond what is required of the landowner under the terms of the conservation easement. The Minnesota Land Trust supports this enhancement. Name: Sarah Strommen Phone: 651-647-9590 Title: Regional Conservation Director Email: sstrommen@mnland.or g Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 3 Project Application Review and Approval Form 092109

Additional necessary): Comments( including approval or denial, reasoning): review (if Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Page 4 Project Application Review and Approval Form 092109

Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Natural Heritage Database Review October 28, 2009 Greg Ostrowski, Todd County SWCD, We have received your request for a Natural Heritage Database Review specific to your Conservation Partners Legacy Grant application, titled Kutter Prairie Restoration. The following information is the result of that review, completed for the project location(s) within your proposed project. There are multiple features recorded within one mile of your project site, although none occurring directly within the project site. The majority of the records are from aquatic and avian species, therefore your proposed activities as described within the project planning form should have no foreseeable negative impact on the features. Please note: This review only applies to the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program application referenced above. This information has no bearing on any related permits or projects not covered under the request for review. This information will not be valid after March 1, 2010. The only use of this data is to record potential impacts and minimization or avoidance techniques for any Natural Heritage Database records found in or within 1 mile of the listed project site(s). Please contact CPL Grant staff at LSCPLGrants@state.mn.us with any questions. Thank you for your interest in the CPL Grant Program.

Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Project Budget and Match Worksheet, Application Requirement Project name: Kutter Prairie Restoration Organization: Todd County SWCD Organization contact person (Project Manager): Sandy Rohr/Greg Ostrowski Please complete all sections and be as detailed as possible for all descriptions under the Details sections. Limit entries in large tables to numbers only, round to the nearest dollar. Do not edit table categories, only enter values or text into the table. The tables will adjust to accommodate additional text in each box. If all categories are not needed, please leave those fields blank. BUDGET: amounts being requested **Note: FY refers to State Fiscal Year: July 1- June 30, with the year reflecting the year that June falls in. For example: if today were September 3 rd, 2009 it would be FY2010; December 3 rd 2010= FY2011; May 2012= FY2012 Budget Item Fiscal Year 2010 Fiscal Year 2011 Fiscal Year 2012 Total Personnel Contracts $750.00 $4,700.00 $2,500.00 $7,950.00 Grant Administration $2,400.00 $1,320.00 $1,440.00 $5,160.00 Administration/ $1,920.00 $720.00 $720.00 $3,360.00 Environmental Compliance Fee Acquisition Easement Acquisition Easement Stewardship Equipment/Tools/Supplies $39,795.00 $39,795.00 Travel Additional Budget items Total $44,865.00 $6,740.00 $4,660.00 $56,265.00 DETAILS: detail the amounts listed in the above table. Personnel Details: Name Title Amount Contract Details: Contractor Name Contracted Work Amount Prairie Restorations, Inc. (PRI) PRI Mobilization & Project Management $750.00 PRI Integrated Plant Management - 1 visit $2,500.00 Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) Integrated Plant Management - 1 crew for 1 week, includes labor & materials $4,700.00 Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Page 1 Budget Review and Match 092109

Grant Administration: Administrative Activity Description/ Amount Amount Budget management Pay vendor invoices, invoice DNR for reimbursement $2,400.00 ($60/hr). 16 hrs in 2010, 12 hrs in 2011, 12 hrs in 2012 Grant Reporting Establish reporting format for grant ($60/hr). 6 hrs in $360.00 2010 Grant Reporting Grant tracking and year-end reporting ($60/hr). 18 hrs in 2010, 10 hrs in 2011, 12 hrs in 2012. $2,400.00 Administration/ Environmental Compliance Activity Description Amount Compliance Checks Field visits/technical monitoring of environmental compliance, 4 hrs each @$60/hr. 8 checks in 2010, 3 in 2011, 3 in 2012 $3,360.00 Fee Acquisition/ Easement Acquisition/ Easement Stewardship Details: Equipment/Tools/Supplies Details: Item Use Amount Broadcast sprayer Herbicide application on 25 acres, completed twice in $6,125.00 2010, including labor. Grass seed drill & seed Drill seeding grasses and broadcast seeding forbs on 25 $4,000.00 broadcaster acres in summer 2010, includes labor. Wildflower seedlings 3,000 seedlings total, including a minimum of 16 native $5,400.00 species, price includes labor for installing Grass/forbs seed mixes Custom native seed mixes - 5 acres upland species, 17 acres mesic species, 3 acres wetland species (approx.). Seeds planted at 12 lbs grasses and 3 lbs forbs per acre. $24,270.00 Travel Details: Miles Purpose Amount Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Page 2 Budget Review and Match 092109

Additional Budget Items Details: MATCH: Required 10% of total project funds, to be fulfilled by end of Fiscal Year 2012. Use provided rate sheet to determine unit rate and total value of in-kind services to be used as matching funds if applicable. Source Description Units Unit Rate Total Value Kutter family Prescribed burn - 25 acres - spring 2010 and 2 $2,200 $4,400.00 spring 2012. burns Kutter family Disking 25 acres (tandem) - spring 2010 25 $11.40 $285.00 acres Kutter family Harrowing 25 acres - spring 2010 25 $7.60 $190.00 acres Kutter family Mowing 25 acres - twice in 2010, once in 2011 75 $14.10 $1,058.00 acres Kutter family Assist with IPM and widlfower seedling planting - minimum of 40 hours 40 hours $13.00 $520 Matching description/ comments: if needed The in-kind rate sheet provided by CPL did not include information on planning, managing, and implementing a prescribed burn. After contacting the CPL staff, it was suggested that we use the price we would be charged by a contractor, such as PRI, to do the work as our matching contribution. A quote from PRI documenting the cost of a prescribed burn on these 25 acres can be supplied upon request. Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Page 3 Budget Review and Match 092109

0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles Big Birch Lake AMA CPL100-071 Kutter Prairie Restoration Todd County, LSOHC Forest/Prairie Transition Planning Section Created by J.Gangaware, 11/2009

Please print on your organization s letterhead CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT PROGRAM PARTNER COMMITMENT LETTER What is the name of the project that you are contributing to, and who is the applicant? The project is the Kutter Prairie Restoration proposed by the Todd County Soil & Water Conservation District. What is the name of your organization (private landowners use Private Landowner )? Private Landowner When will you make the contribution? Our initial contribution began with the planning of the project with the Todd Co. SWCD for the grant application. Upon receipt of the grant, we will proceed with the labor, equipment, and materials we have committed in the project budget as well as the long-term management of the project beyond the grant timeline. Ryan and Jenny Kutter, son and daughter-in-law of the current landowners, both have S130/190 wildland firefighter training and have experience working with Saint John's Arboretum in Collegeville, Minnesota on burns and other prairie management activities. We look forward to pursuing this opportunity to restore some native prairie on our land at home. What is the value of your contribution and how did you determine the value? Does the contribution have a non-state origin? The value of our contribution has been determined using the CPL grant program's in-kind rates for matching funds as well as from quotes by Prairie Restorations, In. Some of the labor quoted by PRI, such as prescribed burns, can be completed with our training and volunteer labor, rather than contracting with PRI for the work. Our total in-kind contribution will be valued at $6,453 for the matching purposes of this grant. If this is based on a fund-raising event or other future action, if that future action fails, will you still provide the contribution amount? Signature: Wayne Kutter, Sherry Kutter, Ryan Kutter, and Jenny Kutter Printed Name, Title, and Affiliation: Private Landowners 10917/10919 County 47 Grey Eagle, MN 56336 320.219.3369 (Jenny s cell) Date Signed: November 2, 2009 Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program

Prairie Restorations, Inc. P.O. Box 327 Princeton, MN 55371 Office: 763-389-4342 Fax: 763-389-4346 CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT PROGRAM PARTNER COMMITMENT LETTER What is the name of the project that you are contributing to, and who is the applicant? The project is the Kutter Prairie Restoration proposed by the Todd County Soil & Water Conservation District. What is the name of your organization (private landowners use Private Landowner )? Prairie Restorations, Inc. When will you make the contribution? Our initial contribution began with the planning of the project with the private landowner. If the grant is awarded, the main focus of our contribution will be in the actual implementation of the project. This will entail helping to prepare the site for seeding and providing and installing the custom seed mixes. We will also be involved with the ongoing management of the project, both via consulting and field implementation. What is the value of your contribution and how did you determine the value? Does the contribution have a non-state origin? The value of our contribution was determined utilizing standard bidding practices which reflect prevailing marketplace pricing for professional restoration services. Seed and plant materials were valued based on Prairie Restorations, Inc. 2009 catalog retail pricing. The value of our services for this project is totaled at $43,045 and is expected to be covered entirely by the grant funds requested from the CPL program. If this is based on a fund-raising event or other future action, if that future action fails, will you still provide the contribution amount? Signature: Mike Evenocheck Printed Name, Title, and Affiliation: Mike Evenocheck, Sales Manager, Prairie Restorations, Inc. Date Signed: 10/29/09 Bringing people together with the land